Mike .. I've been dubbing from back to front but then just a quick wrap to secure it and not sure why. Will just tie off @ end! Thanks again .. much appreciated

Ah, so you are counter wrapping over the dubbing. That's not necessary, but if you want to do it you could try leaving a long tag of thread at the back and then winding forward over the body. You are doing great. It takes time to develop the techniques to make the process simpler and at the same time make the fly durable. The good news is that those techniques get used on most patterns, so eventually your just learning to work with different materials.Mike.

Stags, I sometimes find that the spool had been against the palm of my hand when the thread has broken. I've been very careful to relax my hand, so the spool can rotate in the bobbin only as freely as the bobbin will allow.

Stags, I'm in the same boat. Many years ago I inherited from my uncle a nice collection of tying tools and a vice. This year I decided to give it a go and yesterday at the show I bought the materials to start with Wooly Buggers. I'm basing it on this video.

My first goal is to practice the whip finish knot.

Also, consider the free lessons at Orvis in Plymouth Meeting. They are being held on Sat. 10am to 12pm - Feb 1, 8, 15 & 22.

RC .. how is ur tying going? I'm having some good, bad and ugly . Some frustration but staying cool none the less

I’m sticking to a few basic patterns for now and seem to be OK with materials for what I’m tying. When I need em I'll post …

But I need hooks and beads.

Tried tying small scuds per a video but not happening right now and it was just too tough for me at this stage … not really ready so we can go light on those so I have them a month or 2 down the line …

Not sure what size I’ve been tying but considering not to small what size and type of hooks do u guys think I need. I've been concentrating on a few patterns and will move on to the popular PT, HE, Prince, etc Also as spring is upon us I expect to try tying the popular Eastern PA dry’s and some beetle’s & ants … should be more than enough to keep me busy in the tying arena

Since the closest thing to a Fly Shop to me is Dicks I’m gonna make an order to keep me going for awhile and I’m thinking of Allens …. Just think its important to support the sponsors of the board and a few gents have spoke highly of their hooks.

What am I ordering (lol)?

Posted on: 2014/2/21 22:44

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There are no evil thoughts except one, the refusal to think

I'm just getting started and as noted in the other thread my first goal was to learn the whip finish knot (3 days - about 20 min per day). This morning I did a fairly decent olive wooly bugger but as with the whip finish I'm tying on a size 2 hook just to get familiar with with routine. I'm anal like that.

The only problem I'm having is tying the thread over the hackle. I'm smashing down too much of the hackle.

I have a decent set up. All of my fly tying stuff is in a large tackle box on the floor. My laptop with video instructions on the screen is on my desk. My vise is on my desk between me and the pc screen. I have a bottle of Jameson nearby to deal with frustration.

Yea DJ ... that seems to be the consensus and I am/was decadently overdoing it. Few new techniques told to me so I hope to try them this week.

RJ it's OK tho I'm bias to Maccallan or Basil and Haydens which I would recommend to JT. Haven't bought another bottle of Maker's since a buddy turned me onto it. It will be nice when we r no-longer frustrated and can just enjoy the tie and a beer lol

Posted on: 2014/2/24 8:12

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There are no evil thoughts except one, the refusal to think

I agree with a lot of what was said on the subject but disagree with a portion of what Brookie Chaser said.

in part..."You can never have enough fly tying materials. I always find a new pattern or new style and have to buy different supplies."

I am responding a little tong in check but "I HAVE TOO MUCH MATERIAL". I have duplicates of new packages of dubbing material for example. I guess it's easier to buy some stuff then to try and find it in a sea of bins/drawers. But, it seems you "always need new stuff".

I think it would be a great idea if we could all peruse each others "excess capacity" materials and trade it for the NEW stuff we need to tie that new pattern.